Kalalau Trail, Kauai, HI – America’s Most Dangerous Hikes

Killer coastline

by Kelly Bastone

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The Hike Pictures of the dramatic and lush Na Pali Coast stir hikers’ wanderlust, but the Kalalau Trail hugging this dramatic coastline also triggers something far less romantic: terror. “People have a hard time with some of the dropoffs,” says Kathy Valier, a Kauai resident who’s written guidebooks on hiking the island. “The trail bed is narrow and crumbly, and I’ve talked with many people who have either fallen off the trail or seen it happen.” The footing is twice as treacherous after the island’s abundant rainfall turns the track into a greasy slip ‘n slide–not amusing when you’re edging along a 300-foot cliff that spills straight into a rocky surf. But despite such dangers, tons of locals and visitors continue to make the 11-mile (one way) pilgrimage to Kalalau, one of the world’s most paradisical beaches.

Exhibit A “Surprisingly, we have not yet had a single confirmed fatality from somebody hiking or backpacking on the Kalalau Trail,” says Alan Carpenter, an archaeologist for Hawaii State Parks. But there have been countless close calls: Hiking the trail with his daughter in 2006, a man slipped on an exposed section of trail and tumbled head-first down the slope, gaining speed as he neared the 300-foot cliff that would’ve dumped him into the surf. Lucky for him, his head smashed into a rock and arrested his fall. “The impact separated his nostrils from his face, but he survived,” says Carpenter. Falling rock is also a risk at the various waterfalls along the trail: At Hanakapi’ai Falls, Hanakoa Falls, and near the campground at Kalalau, tumbling water erodes the volcanic rock and occasionally loosens boulders from the chasm’s steep walls. On Oahu, the state closed Sacred Falls State Park after falling rocks near the cascades killed eight hikers, and Kauai, the oldest, most weathered of Hawaii’s islands, generally experiences even more erosion. Flash floods can turn the many small streams you cross into raging torrents. And the beaches you pass offer no relief from your trials: Nearly 100 swimmers have perished in the dangerous currents at Hanakapi’ai.

Survival Plan Stay steady on the trail by using trekking poles, wearing deep-lugged shoes, and loading heavy items at the bottom of your pack to lower your center of gravity. Stay out of streams when it’s raining, since debris jams can burst and release a sudden wall of water on hikers downstream. Floods on Kauai drop as fast as they rise, so wait out sudden whitewater rather than fording it–even if that means missing your flight.

[…] that I could make it all the way. In 2009, Backpacker Magazine dubbed the Kalalau Trail as one of America’s 10 Most Dangerous Hikes. I think it’s exaggerated a little. It is strenuous, sure, but not really that dangerous. The […]

I hiked part of this trail in August of 2016-no joke. If there is any hike where hiking poles are required, this is it! I had to cross several rivers and creeks. The poles kept my feet dry and me upright!

There is a hike on the other side of the island called the Alakai Swamp Trail in Koke State park. This hike is harder, longer, and way more dangerous.

There are dozens of hikes on this island that are dangerous simply because of the isolation, lack of trail service, and flash flood danger.

[…] I was ecstatic to finally be standing there: after all of the research, packing, and flights, we were living our dream. We’d made it to Kalalau Trail, a beyond-this-world coastline hike that’s famously noted as the filming ground for Jurassic Park’s opening scene and notorious for its dub as one of the most dangerous hikes in America, by Backpacker Magazine. […]

[…] and the history of Kalalau for a bit. I learned that it was ranked by Backpackers.com as one of “America’s 10 most dangerous hikes” and Outside magazine rated it as one of the “20 Most Dangerous Hikes in the World.” I […]

[…] *The Kalalau Trail is included in Backpacker Magazine’s list of ‘America’s 10 Most Dangerous Hikes’ so be careful. Having a few days to spare before your flight is advisable since weather in Kalalau can change rapidly(my experience included flash flooding). Bring something to sterilize water (iodine tablets or SteriPEN), lots of sunscreen, and plenty of food. Having items to barter or share with the people who live in the valley is recommended. Rain is always a possibility so having a tarp is advised. A permit is required for camping by the state of Hawaii. However, the many people who live in Kalalau do not hold permits. Please remember to Leave No Trace in order to preserve this wondrous place. http://www.backpacker.com/survival/america-s-10-most-dangerous-hikes-kalalau-trail-kauai-hi/ […]

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